Kandyse McClure, ‘BSG’ Star, On Upcoming ‘Hemlock Grove’ And The Next Robert Pattinson

“Battlestar Galactica” fans rejoice: Dualla and Chief will soon reunite on the small screen. Kandyse McClure and Aaron Douglas have both been tapped to star in Eli Roth’s spooky new TV series “Hemlock Grove,” set to premiere in 2013 on Netflix.

The show revolves around the brutal murder of a 17-year-old girl in a creepy small town. The murder’s two prime suspects, played by young up-and-comers Bill Skarsgard (yes, Alexander’s little bro) and Landon Liboiron, decide to team up to find the real killer. Famke Janssen plays Skarsgard’s mom, Douglas is the Sheriff and McClure is Dr. Clementine Chausser, an animal expert brought in to help with the case. (In case the murderer was actually an animal … or a werewolf!)

McClure called us from her Jamaican vacation to give us the lowdown on the hot young hunks of “Hemlock,” being star-struck by Janssen and what it’s like working with Douglas again.

What can you tell us about Dr. Chausser?

Clementine has trouble in her life, and a chaotic past. She struggles with that. The way that she manages her inner demons is by throwing herself into her work. She’s very flawed and imperfect, but that’s what we love about her.

How does she fit into the broader storyline revolving around the murder mystery?

She’s brought in as the resident animal expert to aid law enforcement in finding what kind of animal did this. The path that she follows unravels secrets of the town, and who’s really in control. She goes there to hunt an animal but finds a town of monsters.

So is it safe to say there are some supernatural elements?

Absolutely. Think of “True Blood” with “Twin Peaks,” with a lot of gore. That would be Eli Roth’s contribution. A little “Hostel” thrown in there! [Laughs]

I read that Eli Roth directed a couple of the episodes…

He did! He directed the first two, I believe. I unfortunately did not get to work with him on set. My character doesn’t appear until a little later. I got to hang out with him, though! It was a surreal experience sitting at lunch eating barbeque ribs chatting with Eli Roth! [Laughs]

What’s it like hanging out with him? Is he intense?

He is intense! The references and the people he knows and the situations he’s been in — it’s a bit of a whirlwind. He’s intense, but he’s also approachable and hilarious as well.

What’s the dynamic like on set?

On the one hand, we’ve got these young, talented kids. They’re in their early 20s. And then on the other side we have these icons who I’ve watched from my own screen — Famke Janssesn, Dougray Scott. Sometimes I’m in a scene with Famke and I forget that it’s my turn to speak because I’m just watching her! [Laughs]

What’s it like working with Aaron Douglas again?

It’s awesome. It was kind of weird for the first couple of days, because we don’t talk to each other except when we’re out eating dinner, socializing! He’ll throw different things at me each take. He teases me, and we make “that’s what she said” jokes.

Have you two been spotted by any “Battlestar Galactica” fans who wonder what you’re doing together?

Yes. We can get away with [not being recognized] when we’re on our own, but when we’re together we might as well have a neon sign! [Laughs] Sometimes it blows people’s minds, I guess, because it’s so random.

What types of things do people say to you?

“Omigod, Chief!” People are flabbergasted or taken aback. We love going to conventions, and Aaron especially enjoys talking to fans. He spends a lot more time with fans drinking in the bar with fans after the panels are done than I do. People are generally complimentary or share an experience that “Battlestar” helped them through or gave them perspective about.
What’s the strangest thing a fan has ever said to you?

They gave me a scientific breakdown of what dark matter is, and then asked me if I knew where it was. [Laughs] Sometimes people say, “If you become an officiant, you could marry us!” Or “We have a uniform, would you just try it on?” It’s all generally harmless and fun.

Speaking of “True Blood,” I know that [“True Blood” star] Alexander Skarsgard’s younger brother Bill is on the show. How does he compare? Do you think he’ll have ladies swooning, too?

When I first met Bill Skarsgard and Landon Liboiron, I thought, “I’m sorry, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, your time is done!” [Laughs] There are new werewolves and vampires in town. There’s definitely something about those Skarsgards.